Melbourne could bring in up to six players for clash with Sydney after first loss since July 2021

Melbourne hadn’t lost since July 2021, but premiership coach Simon Goodwin is eyeing off the perfect response to last week’s shock defeat.

Melbourne lost for the first time since July 2021 against Fremantle last weekend. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Melbourne players are back “on edge” this week following the reigning premier’s first defeat since July 2021 and that includes Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca who is over the illness that limited him to a career-low disposal count in last week’s loss to Fremantle.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin revealed he was weighing up bringing in as many as six new faces for Saturday’s clash with Sydney, locking in defender Adam Tomlinson to replace concussed star Steven May.

Tomlinson could get the job on Sydney superstar Lance Franklin if he overcomes a one-match ban at the tribunal, with premiership defenders Christian Salem and Michael Hibberd, as well as Ed Langdon, James Harmes and Tom McDonald, all “available for selection”.

Despite the wild and woolly weather in Melbourne on Wednesday, with the temperature at Casey Field hovering around just 10C, Petracca was on the training track.

Petracca put his hand up to play Fremantle last week and, despite finishing with just 10 disposals, the lowest count in his 138-game career, Goodwin said he was happy to “back the athlete” when it came to making those calls.

“You continue to learn about what our players can deal with and we have a number of guys each week who may not go in 100 per cent and you back the assessment of your medical team and your athlete,” he said.

“We supported Christian playing, he was keen to play, he didn’t perform to his normal level but that doesn’t mean he didn’t have an impact either. We’ll continue to assess those cases individually.

“He (Petracca) wasn’t at the club on Monday, but he’s been involved the last couple of days and has brought a bit of energy and spirit back to the group.”

Christian Salem has put up his hands to return. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Goodwin conceded the loss to the Dockers, following a 12-goal to one second-half blitz, had forced his players to “reflect a little deeper” and he expected a quick return to form this weekend.

“Naturally it puts your environment a bit back on edge,” he said

“People reflected a little bit deeper about where they are at and how they can perform and the purpose they are having from day to day. That’s from the coaches all the way through to our players. It’s a different feeling this week, but one we have embraced.

“When you lose you can refine your focus and your purpose that little bit more. I’ve seen that, there’s an energy about our players this week. We’ll be looking to maximising that.”

Adam Tomlinson will return for the Demons. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Goodwin said bringing in Tomlinson to replace May was an easy decision after “six weeks of outstanding VFL footy” and had no concern if he was to bring Salem straight back into the AFL, with no VFL games, despite having not played since round 1 following knee surgery.

“Christian has done a power of work, a long campaign in rehab,” he said,

“One thing I do know from our high performance staff is they have been able to rehab players ready to perform incredibly well.”

Originally published as Melbourne could bring in up to six players for clash with Sydney after first loss since July 2021